- Paperback: 592 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books; New edition edition (1 Nov 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743467930
- ISBN-13: 978-0743467933
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.2 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 845,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'This is an important and timely book... full of original perceptions on the historical relationship between journalism and politics, in Australia and America as well as Britain. It is also a sharp warning that the guardians of our city are about to open its gates once again to a man who has shown that he cannot be trusted' Godfrey Hodgson, NEW STATESMAN 'Spendid account...The author explodes many Murdoch myths, including that of his being anti-establishment ... [Bruce Page] wears his wide reading lighly, possessing an investigator's eye for details, an insider's expertise on the ways of the media and a democrat's drive for openness and accountability. This is an important book on commercial power and political freedom. Heard much about it from "New" Labour's Murdoch hacks?' John Booth, Tribune 'Brings fresh insights... This book is a powerful indictment of media monopoly and its threat to democratic society' DIRECTOR 'Bruce Page's remarkable account of Rupert Murdoch and his world... It is a challenging read - speculative and learned; and if you think you know Machiavelli or Vilfredo Pareto, think again' Jonathan Mirksy, LITERARY REVIEW 'Bruce Page has broken the routine circle with a critique of Murdoch which goes beyond almost all others in its unflinching attack on the man...important and alarming...valuable...penetrating analysis...a good book' WEST END EXTRA 'This is a very full life of the great manipulator, leaving no stone unturned' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
Product Description
Rupert Murdoch is one of the most powerful men in the world today. As chief executive of News Corporation, he controls a global media empire which boasts some of the major players in newspapers, television, publishing and the movie business. In the English-speaking world, and increasingly in 'untapped' but potentially lucrative markets such as China, he wields an influence as political kingmaker second to none. How did he do it? How did this empire, a loose 'archipelago' of media islands large and small, come to be so successful and influential? Building on many years' research and featuring many previously undisclosed revelations, THE MURDOCH ARCHIPELAGO is the most definitive survey yet of Murdoch's life and times; how power flows from influence; and whether this should (or if it can) be regulated.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Bruce Page's The Murdoch Archipelago is a stunner! A clear mind and a sharp moral sense are at work here to lay bare the career of a scoundrel - and what his kind of success shows us about our time and ourselves. Page tells a complex story with verve and style. He first lets us see how the Murdoch enterprise works - but then, why it works: why politicians yield to him, and precisely what his capacity is to traffic with power while pretending to rebel against it. Yet this is more than the story of one man. The important point, says Page, "is that Murdoch's operation may well be the general model of media empires which live in corporatist bliss with slowly degrading national governments." Buy it, read it and learn from this tale for our times.
Format:Paperback
This is certainly a well researched book but one of the true merits of a good journalist is clarity in his or her writing. I find this book does not have sufficient clarity and the reader tends to get lost in the detail which in certain sections produces a vague picture of one of the leading giants of the 20th Century who has done much to change the media.
Nevertheless this is a worthwhile read, particularly when it deals with Rupert Murdoch's family background.
Nevertheless this is a worthwhile read, particularly when it deals with Rupert Murdoch's family background.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In this brilliantly written and hard-hitting book, Bruce Page analyses in depth R. M.'s character (based on T. Adorno's `The Authoritarian Personality'), the history of his media empire, the power links, the revolutions in the media scene and the crucial test `freedom v. pseudo-freedom' for democracy.
His book contains also excellent information on such important historical issues as `Bloody Sunday' or the `Thatcher Years'.
Media landscape
In the early days of TV, newspapers didn't cover TV programs enough compared with the role they played in the life of their readers. Now, there is a close and vital embrace between TV and the newspaper industry (and most of all the tabloids).
Newspapers and pseudo-newspapers
A real news business, like newspapers must chase tirelessly after authentic (independent of opinion) disclosures. Some newspapers don't even try it; they are called pseudo-newspapers.
Effective and independent disclosures will bring newspapers into substantial conflict with the governing powers of the day.
Pseudo-newspapers will give active support of governing power to the extent of assisting it with official propaganda. The facts that are in the public interest are not published or selectively disclosed or covertly manipulated.
Freedom v. pseudo-freedom
The media system has been rightly thought to be the brightest hope for enlightenment, liberty and entertainment. But, the system became corrupted through profitable (corporate) alliances with the powerful in government. Law and regulations don't constitute a barrier anymore, if there is sufficient influence with sufficiently powerful people.
Democracy
For B. Page, democracy is fictional if media are there only for the ruling class. Only when the media are transparent, can the essential qualities of the intimate republic be saved.
Governments must not be allowed to hand over the use of public `goods', which give liberties material expression, to conspicuous free riders. Otherwise, a free society commits suicide.
Bruce Page wrote a very courageous and most necessary analysis of the Australian, English and US media scene. For him, democracies should be foolish to ignore media influences, which may be considered the greatest danger modern society faces.
A must read.
His book contains also excellent information on such important historical issues as `Bloody Sunday' or the `Thatcher Years'.
Media landscape
In the early days of TV, newspapers didn't cover TV programs enough compared with the role they played in the life of their readers. Now, there is a close and vital embrace between TV and the newspaper industry (and most of all the tabloids).
Newspapers and pseudo-newspapers
A real news business, like newspapers must chase tirelessly after authentic (independent of opinion) disclosures. Some newspapers don't even try it; they are called pseudo-newspapers.
Effective and independent disclosures will bring newspapers into substantial conflict with the governing powers of the day.
Pseudo-newspapers will give active support of governing power to the extent of assisting it with official propaganda. The facts that are in the public interest are not published or selectively disclosed or covertly manipulated.
Freedom v. pseudo-freedom
The media system has been rightly thought to be the brightest hope for enlightenment, liberty and entertainment. But, the system became corrupted through profitable (corporate) alliances with the powerful in government. Law and regulations don't constitute a barrier anymore, if there is sufficient influence with sufficiently powerful people.
Democracy
For B. Page, democracy is fictional if media are there only for the ruling class. Only when the media are transparent, can the essential qualities of the intimate republic be saved.
Governments must not be allowed to hand over the use of public `goods', which give liberties material expression, to conspicuous free riders. Otherwise, a free society commits suicide.
Bruce Page wrote a very courageous and most necessary analysis of the Australian, English and US media scene. For him, democracies should be foolish to ignore media influences, which may be considered the greatest danger modern society faces.
A must read.
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